Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-29
critics may say OF my methods. One thing is GER
fai

NOT A DOLLAR OF MONEY WAS DISHONESTY Ex-
PENDED
while was there. This say in The face of every
accusation to the contrary So far as am per-
sonally concerned, 1 know went in there worth
over half million dollars and came out with only
a small part OF It. That constant litigation which
the opposition involved the Board in hindered its
la00rS and MADE much more expensive than iu
would otherwise have been the work 1t had under
taken. But l am thankful for one thing. 1t is
that got the city far enough advanced so as to
plant II In the lap OF the Government with the as
surance that 1T would be properly cared for 1
well remember the expression Jim Blaine used
Mneh reIerriag 70 tne subject. In his usual pat
fOundl1ng of yours at the breast of its unnatural
mother with both tits In its mouth and If 1t don't
get full OF pap it will be because it hasn't the
power to draw Blaine hit it pretty correctly /
amagine for the District is pretty wen entrenched
now In the bosom Of its country"
MONEY EXPENDED BY THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
'How much money was expended by your board
during its term of Officer,
"About $20O0O,OOO," answered Mr.. Shepherd
ave constructed over 200 miles OF roadway, made
all the small parks you see in the city, and did a
lot OF other improvement work. Two-thirds of the
OF the District, and one-third from special assess
ment on the property-hOlders. We fioated loan
or $4,OOO,oOO You hear great deal about the
poor, crushed property-holder who sacrificed his
little home his vine and his tree that the pala-
tial boulevard might be constructed. That's all
poppycock. The fact Is that not dollars worth
OF property was ever sold or conf1scated because
of these Improvements. Reason 1t out a little and
you will see that am correct. don't know OF an
instance where any owner had to pay over s. a
front foot for the improvement. and show ME a
prOperty-ow to-day in Washington whose hold
1ngs have not been advanced many times s. a
front foot by reason Of these improvements. The
one-thrd assessed against property was divided
between the holders on either side of the street,
thus making each ones share only about 10 per
cent. 1t Is rather odd that the poor people were
the ones who paid their assessments promptly,
and it was the rich and the reaestate SPECTATORS
who raised the cry of fraud: They are the very
ones who have been most benefited. The poor
contractors whom the Government paid Off In de-
preciated securities were generally thrown into
bankruptcy, while the shylocks, bankers and
mOney-lenders, who bought their bonds at 81 cents
On the dollar, reaped a harvest by the subsequent
advance in the securities. Talk about the con-
and curses. and the city to-day stands monu-
ment to their honest labor. General Grant knew
the true situation and he wasn't afraid to face the
racket and stand by his honest belief. l don't be-
lteve ever went to him without getting the full
weight OF his power and influence In behalf OF my
undertaking. II the people really knew the ele-
ment that was making such a fuss over the labOrS
of the Board OF Public Works they would have
given little attention to the snaps and snarls OF
the whole crew.
SOME "REMINISCENCES.
'YOu must have some pleasant "reminiscences OF
the men and the events OF those days, governor
"Bless you, yes" replied the governor. 81 am
not soured by memories OF any OF the unpleasant
ness or that day. OF Gen. Grant have many
L q
mirer Of him, and was much panied TO see an
element close to him that could not do him other
than injury, and that was continually working
against him under cover OF friendship. remem-
Der once went down to Long Branch to see Gen.
Grant. 1t was about two years before Hayes
rsey into Ta Rows at tS poke 4s my md na # rather
the only occasion that l recall that be
appeared pea d., mitied @ & at what / had d tt. to say.
OF some fellows who were close to him, Yet
traitors he would be sorry. Well, had the salts
faction not long afterward to know that he ap-
preciated what had told him, for the general
told me that he always regretted that he did not
take some OF the advice gave him then. 1t was
a shame how Grant was betrayed by those who
when one OF his own Cabinet-BrlStOw--waS sit
ting in his Office plotting against him. The nomi-
nation OF one or these traitors was talked OF for
important Office not long after Grant left the preSi
dency, and the only time ever heard him speak
OF his influence was on that occasion. He told me
that he felt like going to Washington and using
his personal influence on the floor OF The Senate to
defeat the nomination II 1t were made"
SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE OF THE DISTRICT,
Gov. Shepherd said that he had always cOntended
that there should be joint representation OF its
residents and the General Government In It's man.
agement. The people now own over One-half the
property, and there Is no reason why they should
not have at least two out Of three representatives
on the District board. congress has no time to
act as board OF aldermen, pass laws, and make
ordinances applicable TO the proper administration
OF the District affairs )" he continued. Il VIII al
ways take great pride in Washington. and in the
share had in developing It, for can say that
every act was done from honest and unSeltiSh mo-
tiveS."
THE FUTURE OF MEXICO.
"What OF the future OF MexicO?"
'It is country OF vast possibilities" Gov. Shep-
herd replied, and its mineral wealth is tnexhaust-
tble. Besides that, it can raise tobacco enough,
for instance to supply the world, not TO speak OF
coffee and other staple articles. President Diaz Is
a remarkably strong man, but it Is hardly fair to
call him dictator. He rules with an iron hand
within velvet glove. He has done much to de-
velop the country, and is warm friend OF America
and Americans. Our trade with Mexico is not
what 1t ought to be and could easily be. What
this country should have done years ago was to
establish reciprocity treaty with Mexico, so as
to get our goods into that country. Instead Of
that the Germans and English carry away the
bulk OF it,"
ABOUT THE RECEPTION.
81 have heard from friends and read In news
papers, concluded Gov. Shepherd, "that recep-
tion is to be given me when reach Washington.
have no other Information about it. The idea that
the 'cld ringsters,' as they call them are getting
1t up with my aid is preposterOus. The business
that called Inc up here Is too urgent to admit OF
my spending any time In getting up receptions to
myself, or any one elSe for that matter OF course
1t Will be gratifying to me to meet my Old friends
and TelloWclttZenS again, and 1t would be unnatu-
raj II DID not fully appreciate any Kindness which
they may choose to show me- Washington is still
the city OF my pride. have large personal inter
eSts there, as well as many memories that are cher